wayfinding system strategy for the city of toronto

Toronto Wayfinding Strategy - Valuing the Benefitsmay 27, 2013 - complete streets forum 2013

fiona chapman - city of toronto jonathan tong - steer davies gleave

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understanding wayfinding

What is wayfinding?A wayfinding system makes streets, neighbourhoods and the city more “legible”, helping people find their way. Wayfinding is more than signs and comprises:

• Signs

•Names

•Maps

• Lighting

• Streetfurniture

•Urbanrealm

•Publicart

•Newtechnology(mobile/websites)

wayfinding

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understanding wayfinding

Objectivesofcitywayfinding & signing:

• Identifyandconnectplaces

•Buildconfidenceandtrusttowalk

• Reducerelianceonthecar/publictransport

• Stimulateeconomicgrowth

•Reassureandencourageexploration/wandering/discovery

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strategy inputs

observation consultation research

The proposed Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy themes and principles emerged fromtheproject’sthree main activities:

General audits

Case study areas

Existingwayfinding

Streescape

Interviews

Meetings

Workshop

OpenHouse(due)

Policyandguidelines

Best practice review

Internationalexperiences

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observation > opportunities

neighbourhoods The cultural heritage ofneighbourhoodsandformalBIAinitiatives have also shaped the urban fabric,makingmany places in Toronto instantly recognizable.

street grid Torontoisfortunateto be based on a grid thatisalmostexactlyalignedN.S.E.W.

Streets are generally well labelled.

landmarks Toronto has many civic and cultural buildings with bold and recognizable architecturalfeatures.

orientation CNTowerandthedowntown high rises are conveniently situated at the southernedgeofthe city and provide intuitive wayfinding references.

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continuity Multi-modalWayfinding in Toronto, other than street names, is sporadic andfragmented–itdoes not operate as a system or a network.

observation > gaps

consistency Material,appearance,content and location ofsignagelacksconsistency.Existingstructures in the right-of-waydonotharmonize with their surroundings.

connectivity Mostsystemsprovide point specific information,andfailtoincludecontextinformationrelatedto the immediate surroundings.

accessibility Acombinationoflocation, height, reading angle and materialoftencompromise legibility.

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wayfinding strategy report

The Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy final report documents theprocessesandoutcomesofthestrategyphaseofthestudyandwillservetoinformtheCity’sdecisionon whether to carry the project forwardintoimplementation.

The study aimed to establish robust foundationsforthedevelopmentanddeliveryofahigh-qualitywayfindingsystemforToronto.

wayfinding system strategy (phase one)

for the city of toronto

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategyfinal report

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wayfinding strategy > themes

consistency being localsustainabilityinclusivity transition

The system should cater to theneedsofall user types

Physical access

Contrast

Accessibility

Technology

Consideration offulllifecyclecosting and ability to adapt to change

Reduce clutter

Flexibility

Extendability

Future proof

Connecting places and facilitatingthirdparty input to enable people to move seamlessly fromonemode,system or area to another

Multi-modal

Reciprocity

Route legibility

Fill the gaps

Celebrating and promoting the city and its districts. Empowering community participation and input

Landmarks

Local character

Historic names

Placemaking

Consistency ofcontentandpresentation is fundamentalforeffectivewayfinding

Hierarchy

Conventions

Positioning

Structures

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system components > summary

gateway totem

At gateways such astransitexits

context totem

At or near majorplacesofinterest(Tier1)

At significant areas ofeachdistrict

narrow map totem

At or near significant placesofinterestofeachdistrict

Attransitexits

directional

Atintersectionsofkey pedestrian routes and decision points

Atsharedpedestrian/cycling routes

interpretative

At significant historic and heritage buildings and sites

mobile apps

On internet-enabled mobile devices

Enhancedbyfeaturessuch as compass and location-based services

Multi-platform

current policy

OntarioTrafficManual(OTM)

CityofToronto:Identificationand Directional RoadSignagePolicy(IDRSP)

Improveconnections, create new legible routes, improvequalityofplace, and encourage walking and exploringthecity

local area maps

At mode transition points:Bus/Streetcar shelters, Transit stations, PATH,Bixi,Parkinglots and others

pockets maps

At visitor welcome and entry points to thecity(e.g.airports,hotel concierge, conventioncentres)

main st/bia pillars

Along retail clusters andmainstreets(notatdecisionpoints)

At or near significant placesofinterestofeachdistrict

Signage

Printed Traffic signs Urban Design

Digital

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400m / 5min

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Walk

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next steps > phase two (pilot) and three

PhaseTwomovesthestrategyintoimplementation and is designed tobeinplaceinadvanceofthe2015Pan/ParaPanAmGames.

The downtown coreisthesuggestedareafortheproposedPhaseTwopilotimplementationproject.

PhaseTwoevaluationresultswillverifyandupdatethe OBC and more accurately convey the costs and benefitstopotentialfundersofPhaseThree-citywideroll-outwhichisexpectedtocommenceby2016.

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next steps > indicative implementation plan

phase twoDetailed Graphic/Product design

PA Sign manufacture and installation

Design testing and prototype

Highway signage strategy

PA Evaluation (pre/post)

Map asset platform (back office)

Stakeholder consultation (PA and global)

Map back-office

Pre/Post Evaluations

Strategy development

Report to City Council

q1 q1q1 q1 q1 q1 q3q2 q2q2 q2 q2 q2 q4q3 q3q3 q3 q3q4 q4q4 q4 q42011 20132012 2014 2015 2016

phase threeSystem design guidelines

Stakeholder consultation (local area)

digital strategyhighway strategy

Artwork output and management platform

Manufacture and installation begin Web/mobile App (generic)

Highway/Traffic sign design Pilot, Ev., Roll

App evaluation

Highway strategy

City Council approval

phase one

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outline business case report

TheOutlineBusinessCase(OBC)report sets out the costs and benefits ofaCity-widewayfindingsystem,providing the City with relevant informationtoinformtheirdecisionon whether to proceed with the pilot implementationandsubsequentfullroll-outofthestrategy.

Wayfinding System Strategy for the City of Toronto

Wayfinding Outline Business Case

Final Report

May 2012

Prepared for: Prepared by: City of Toronto

City Hall 100 Queen Street West Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2

Steer Davies Gleave 2500-120 Adelaide Street West Toronto, M5H 1T1 Canada

+1 (647) 260 4861 www.steerdaviesgleave.com

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outline business case > overview

Theroleofthebusinesscaseineachprojectphaseproject phase focus of business case technical approach

phase one

Wayfinding strategy development and conceptual design

• Evidence to inform the City’s decision to take the Wayfinding project to Phase Two

• Consideration of potential funding sources

• High level analysis based on international experience, professional judgement

phase two

Detailed design, pilot implementation and pilot evaluation

• Evidence to confirm (or update) the performance of the pilot against objectives

• Support a more targeted approach towards negotiating potential funding sources

• Detailed cost estimates based on actual costs of pilot area

• Surveys with users to evaluate the impacts of the pilot areas

• Interviews with potential investors

phase three

Full implementation/roll-out • Evidence to confirm the performance of the pilot against objectives

• Support future expansion of the wayfinding system

• Interviews with users and investors to identify lessons learnt as the roll-out takes place in stages

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outline business case > overview

Animprovedwayfindingsystemisexpectedtodeliverthefollowingkeybenefits

• Increasevisitorsatkeyattractions,spendingintheGreaterToronto Area, boost the local economy and enhance theoverallimageofTorontoasadestination

• Increaseconfidencetowalk,reducewalktimes,promote multi-modal transit and reduce auto use

• Improveurbanrealm,senseofcommunity,pedestriansafety,healthandenvironment

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outline business case > multiple account evaluation

Evaluationframework

•UsingMetrolinxBenefitsCaseAnalysis“Accounts”with project specific measures

•Mixofqualitativeandquantitativeassessments

Transportation Accessibility

Safety

Journey time savings

Decongestion

Environment Emissions

Urban Design Wayfinding design

Urban realm

Social Community Community identity

Health

Economic Development Tourism

Business trade

Financial Capital costs

Maintenance and renewal costs

Benefit cost ratio

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Journey time savings

•High-Levelassumptionsforpedestrians

• Evidencebased:e.g.LegibleLondonsurveys

•58% agreed that the signs encouraged themtoexploretheareaonfoot

•Between17 and 40 people per hour stopped touseLegibleLondonsignsovera12hourperiod

• “Perceived”walkjourneytimes was reduced by 0.46 minutes per user on average

• Proportionofusersfeelinglostwas reduced by 17%

• Furtherbenefitsfromcycling,highwayand digital strategies are additional

outline business case > quantifying benefits

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outline business case > multiple account evaluation

OutlineMAEresults

account measure assessment

Transportation Accessibility

Safety

Journey time savings $11m - $33m (present values)

Auto journey time savings $6m - $13m (present values)

Environment GHG reductions 150 - 340 tonnes p.a.

Urban Design Wayfinding design

Urban realm

Social Community Community and identity

Health benefits

Economic Development Tourism

Business trade

Financial Capital costs $8m (2012 real prices)

Maintenance and renewal costs $830,000 p.a.

Benefit cost ratio Between 0.9:1 and 2.4:1

Assumes25yearprojectlifecycle.Monetaryvaluesin2012prices,5%p.a.discountrate

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outline mae > cost:benefit ratio

ForeverydollarinvestedtheCitycanexpectbetween90centsand$2.40oftransportation benefits in return

Thewayfindingprojectisexpectedtodeliversignificantnon-transportationbenefits–suchastotourism trade, employment, environment, health andoverallqualityoflife,withallthesebenefitsbeingoverandabovethosequantifiedintheBCR

Ifoneaddsthesewiderbenefitstothetransportcase it suggests that the investment is likely to repayitselfthroughtransportationbenefitsalone

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indicative costs > overview

Thefullroll-outofthewayfindingsystemisestimatedat$7.2million,givingatotalcapitalcostofapproximately$8m

Awayfindingpilotstrategyhasbeendevelopedfortwopilotareasandisexpectedtocostaround$0.8m including consultation, implementation and evaluation

Anannualallowanceof10 to 15%oftheongoingcapitalinvestment is recommended to maintain and renew the wayfinding system,excludinganypotentialadditionalCitystaffcosts

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outline mae > further benefits

Digital & highway signage benefits

TheMAEexcludesthecosts/benefitsofthedigitalandhighwayelementsofthestrategy

» Implementationofthedigital strategyisexpectedtobefundedthroughprivatesectorpartnership

» A highway strategy would enable a complete andcontinuouswayfindingexperienceforallmodes,includingusersofautomobile

Itisrecommendedthatdigitalandhighwaystrategiesareimplementedtomaximizetheopportunitiesandbenefitsofthewayfindingstrategy

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further evaluation work

Furtherevaluationwork

• Itisexpectedthat,aspartofPhase2oftheproject,apre/postpilotimplementationevaluation would be undertaken

• StatedPreference(SP)researchtechniquescouldbeusedtoquantifyhowmuchthepublicwouldbe,intheory,preparedtopayforimprovements

• Pedestriansurveyscanbeusedtoidentifyanychangesintravelbehaviourassociated with improved wayfinding

• Thebusinesscasewillbeupdatedwithlocal-specificinformation

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questions?